In this situation where the declaration of exile hasn’t even been executed yet, the paladins Nune and Tine are striking back flamboyantly.
No matter how much I think about it, even though this is supposed to be a kind of grace period to sort things out and leave quietly, watching these two paladin ladies blatantly blocking my way with their swords makes me feel my insides boiling, along with a deep sense of bewilderment.
“Damn it… Is it really going to end like this, me leaving with nothing to my name? If only I could at least grab the documents inside… No, just the money in the safe would be nice…”
Sorting out my property is one thing, but leaving without even a travel fund was absolutely impossible.
In this world, where transportation isn’t as convenient as in modern times, stepping out of the city without a single coin was literally inviting death. Furthermore, even if I somehow managed to reach another region, having money or not would mean the difference between heaven and earth.
In other words, if I really get kicked out like this, it means there’s no chance for a new life or revenge, let alone survival.
However, the two ladies in front of me clearly have no intention of letting me in without a fight.
“What should I do? Should I force my way in? No, that might not be easy… Above all, causing more ruckus here is not a good idea in many ways.”
It was a ridiculous and infuriating situation, but still, I could calmly grasp the true intentions behind their actions without much difficulty.
At first glance, it seemed these girls were merely acting out of a simple desire to reject someone exiled as a paladin.
However, I knew very well that they weren’t really that faithful on a regular basis.
Despite holding the title of paladin, they hated anything annoying but loved money like crazy, and they were the kind of leeches that would latch on wherever there’s a profit, sucking it dry without a second thought.
Just a few weeks ago, when I was making profits without any issues, they were all over me, eager to drain me dry, and now they spout nonsense about exile and being God’s servants; there’s definitely something else going on here.
Those girls, now spouting off about excommunication and serving the Lord, surely had some hidden agenda.
And.. as for what that agenda was?
I figured it out without much trouble.
‘Could it be.. is it because of that? No, it has to be because of that. I can’t think of any other reason, really.’
The reason they were blocking me with weapons.
Given their usual behavior, the answer was obvious.
Money.
To be precise, they were probably eyeing my considerable property sitting in my room.
For someone who has been excommunicated, once that order is executed, all their property would be seized by the Church.
As the sinner’s property belongs to God, there’s this grandiose, needless reason for it.
However, this was only the case after the excommunication had been executed. Until then, even though I was slated for excommunication, I was still an ordinary person, meaning I had every right to liquidate my property and leave for another country.
From the perspective of the Archbishop scheming to get my wealth, this was something that absolutely had to be prevented.
‘In that case.. it’s clear the orders these punks received from the Archbishop must be to prevent me from liquidating my property by any means necessary. And if things go smoothly for them, some of that cash will surely end up in these girls’ greedy mouths.’
As I grasped the situation, I was engulfed in deeper anger and a convoluted labyrinth of thoughts.
‘Damn it.. what should I do.. Should I try to make a deal with the property I have? But.. betting without knowing how much they’re asking is really off-putting..’
Considering these girls were deliberately causing trouble, they probably asked for quite a hefty sum.
But still, leaving this place as a penniless wretch was absolutely out of the question.
Thus, I concluded that somehow, even if it meant taking a serious hit, I had to make a deal with those two, and with a heavy heart, I prepared to follow through.
In the end, I had to conclude that I needed to make a deal with the two of them, and with a feeling that I really didn’t want to, I tried to carry it out.
Then…
“Hey, what on earth are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“Who are you?”
In the next moment, another woman emerged through the door behind me.
With black hair and blue eyes.
And…
She appeared to be in her late teens, slightly young yet cute… at the same time, I was sure that if she grew up a bit more, she would possess incredible beauty.
The appearance of the girl, wearing the Junior Paladin insignia, began to bring out a strong irritation in the faces of Nune and Tine, who were blocking my way.
“I’ve heard the situation. You two should stop this rude behavior immediately.”
“Hey, this brat is an excommunicated heretic. We’re just trying to prevent a heretic from stepping into the Paladin Order’s residence.
“You’re not seriously going to side with this excommunicated evil heretic, are you? If you want to have an easy life as a Paladin in the future, don’t butt in and just go away quietly.”
The two of them were practically giving a warning wrapped in threats.
However… despite their words, she…
Though she was a Junior Paladin who wasn’t even in the original work, she had been showing interest in my affairs and building a personal connection here.
Cazerose Sophia,
looking at the two Paladins radiating danger right in front of her, showed no signs of shrinking back.
“You keep talking about excommunication, but if we’re going to talk about authority, isn’t your behavior what’s truly overstepping the line? Even if an excommunication has been declared, this has not been recognized until you receive the formal decree from His Holiness the Pope. Are you two really thinking your authority is higher than that of the great Pope who sits on the throne of Saint Rome?”
“T-That…”
With Cazerose invoking the authority of the Pope, the two of them instantly found themselves at a loss for words, and against them, Cazerose continued speaking in a voice utterly unfazed.
“Of course, things will change when the official transfer from His Holiness the Pope arrives in a week, but still, Mr. Santana is undoubtedly a Child of the Lord and possesses the rightful Sacred Rights given by His Holiness the Pope. You, being the Pope’s minions and Servants of the Lord, wouldn’t want to recklessly usurp that Sacred Right, would you?”
“Ugh…”
Cazerose elaborately pointed out the absurdity of the current situation.
In response to her words, the two Paladins maintained an expression of frustration, unable to find any means to refute her.
If there had been someone with a decent amount of brains around, they might have brought up a suitable counterargument to challenge Cazerose.
However, fortunately for me, these two weren’t exactly the sharpest tools in the shed.
While they were among the top fighters in the Paladin Order, they were the definition of blockheads.
If I were the one saying this, I could have just maintained an attitude like, “I don’t care, I don’t need to listen to a Heretic’s words,” just like before.
But this time, the one who was speaking was a Paladin, albeit of a lower rank, just like her.
Since they were dealing with an equal who could adequately point out their actions, they couldn’t completely dismiss her.
“You… I’ll make you pay next time…”
“Let’s see how well you can play the Paladin role from now on.”
With that, the two grit their teeth and reluctantly backed off, and Cazerose turned to me with a much softer voice than before.
“Well then, please come in, Mr. Santana. You must have a lot to do and sort out…”
“Ah… Yes. Th-thank you.”
With a gentle smile on her lips, Cazerose spoke.
Seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but feel my heart flutter slightly as I replied in a daze.
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